Nail feeder



Jan. 1, 195 7 c, FENNO 2,775,766

NAIL. FEEDER Filed April 7, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet l John 6. Fenna l6 INVEN TOR.

I 8 BY Wynn EM Jan; 1, 1957 J. c. FENNO 2,775,766

NAIL FEEDER Filed April 7, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 John 0. Fenno INVENTOR.

llnited States Patent Ofitice 2 ,775,766- Patented Jan. 1, 1957 NAIL FEEDER John C. Fenno, Edgeley, N. Dak. Application April 7, 1955, Serial No. 500,005

8 Claims. (Cl. 149.6)

This invention generally relates to a nail feeder and more specifically provides a device for holding and feeding nails in a desired position from a particular point, thereby facilitating the use of such nails.

An object of the present invention is to provide a nail feeder that is primarily adapted to be utilized with a hammer of the magnetized type that will pick up a nail from the feeder wherein the feeder will retain the nails in a predetermined position.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a nail feeder in which a plurality of headed nails will be so positioned and arranged in aligned rows that the heads of the nails may be easily engaged and retracted for use in the usual manner.

Other important objects of the present invention will reside in its simplicity of construction, ease and efliciency of operation, its effectiveness for its particular purpose, and its relatively inexpensive manufacturing cost. These, together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent, reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the nail feeder of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a longitudinal, vertical sectional view taken substantially upon a plane passing along section line 22 of Figure 1 showing the internal structural details of the device and illustrating the position of the nails therein;

Figure 3 is a transverse, vertical sectional view taken substantially upon a plane passing along section line 3-3 of Figure 1 showing the plurality of rows of nails and the means for positioning the same;

Figure 4 is a transverse vertical sectional view taken substantially on a plane passing along section line 4-4 of Figure 1 showing the interior details of the feeder of the present invention;

Figure 5 is a fragmental, vertical sectional view taken substantially upon a plane passing along section line 55 of Figure 1 showing the positioning means for retaining the headed nails in position for easy removal;

Figure 6 is a bottom plan view of a portion of the nail feeder of the present invention; and

Figure 7 is a sectional View similar to Figure 5 showing a modified form of the present invention.

Referring now specifically to the drawings, it will be noted that the numeral 10 generally designates the nail feeder of the present invention. The nail feeder 10 generally includes a pair of transverse end members 12 and 14 with the rear end member 14 being vertically longer than the forward end member 12. Attached to the end members 12 and 14 is a pair of depending side walls 16 and a pair of end walls 18 and 20 with the forward end wall 18 being shorter than the rear end wall 20. The forward end wall 18 terminates at the upper edge of the forward transverse member 12 and the rear end wall 20 extends vertically above the rear transverse member 14 and'terminates in an arcuate, peripheral, upper edge designated by the numeral 22.

Disposed between and secured to the transverse members 12 and 14 is a plurality of longitudinally elongated, parallel and spaced tubular members 24. The tubular members 24 are so arranged and spaced that they will receive the shank 26 of a nail but will not permit passage of the head 28 of a nail wherein nails, generally designated by the numeral 28, will be retained between the tubular members 24 with the headed portion 28 thereof resting against the peripheral surfaces of adjacent tubular members 24. The rear ends of the tubular members 24 are integrally attached and formed with the transverse member 14 and the forward end of the tubular members 24 is provided with a cutaway portion designated by the numeral 32 and defined by inclined edges 34. The ends of the inclined edges 34 coincide with the upper edge of the front transverse member 12 and the front end member 18, thereby forming a substantially inclined surface at the front end of the nail feeder 10. As the nails 30 are moved forwardly between the tubular members 24, the headed portion 28 will drop onto the inclined edges 34 wherein the nails 30 will tilt substantially in the manner illustrated in Figure 5 wherein a magnetized hammer may be positioned against the head 28 of the nails 30, thereby permitting the nails 30 to be lifted from the nail feeder 10 in the desired manner.

Attached to the upper surface of the tubular members 24 adjacent the forward end thereof is a plate member 35 having an upstanding bracket 36 thereon which is provided with a laterally offset handle 38 which generally extends in parallel relation to the tubular members 24 whereby the nail feeder 10 may be manipulated. Also, an upstanding arcuate plate 40 is provided behind the bracket 36 in alignment with the portion of the rear end wall 20 projecting above the rear transverse member 14 wherein the peripheral surface 42 of the plate 40 is substantially co-extensive with the peripheral edge 22 of the rear end wall 20. Secured to the peripheral edges 42 and 22 of the plate 40 and end wall 20, respectively, is a semi-cylindrical cover member 44 having an enlarged oval-shaped opening 46 therein to permit insertion of nails 30 between adjacent tubular members 24 whereby the supply of nails 30 in the nail feeder 10 will at all times be easily replenished.

The nail feeder 10 of the present invention is preferably constructed of plastics or some other inexpensive material and the spacing between the tubes 24 may be varied, depending upon the type of nails 30 to be fed by the device. Also, the length of the depending walls 16, 18 and 20 may be varied, depending upon the length of the nails. Also, it will be understood that any number of tubes 24 may be utilized, depending upon the individual circumstances. As the nails 30 are fed through the enlarged opening 46, the shanks 26 thereof are disposed between the tubular members 24 wherein they will then proceed towards the front end of the nail feeder 10 when the nail feeder 10 is tilted towards a vertical position with the rear end thereof raised. As the nails move toward the front transverse member 12, the headed portion 28 thereof will be disposed against the inclined edges 34 wherein the head 28 will be exposed for engagement by a magnetized type of hammer, thereby permitting the nails 30 to be readily and easily used. The plate 40 acts as a stop and guide member for assuring that all of the nails 30 are disposed in correct relation before proceeding between the tubular members 24, since only the nails having the headed portion 28 disposed in substantially horizontal position will pass under the plate 40 and the horizontal plate 35.

Referring now specifically to Figure 7, it will be noted that tubes 24a are smaller for receiving and positioning smaller nails 30a. The tubes 24a are provided with upwardly ofiset end portions 24b, and the plate 35a termimates in spaced relation to the end member 120, thereby forming an access opening 340.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. A nail feed comprising a plurality of spaced parallel members having curved upper surfaces, transverse end members interconnecting the parallel members for retaining the same in spaced relation, said spaced members having vertically offset end portions on one end thereof, said spaced members receiving shanks of nails therebetween with the heads thereof resting against the curved upper surface of adjacent spaced members whereby the nails will slide downwardly between the spaced members onto the offset end portions when the spaced members are inclined with the offset end portions being disposed at the lower end of the spaced members thereby retaining the nails in accessible position.

2. A nail feeder comprising a frame having vertical side and end walls, a plurality of spaced parallel tubular members extending between and supported by said end walls, an enclosure positioned over said tubular members, a handle on said enclosure, said enclosure having an enlarged opening to permit insertion of beaded nails, said tubular members spaced to permit the shanks of the nails to pass therebetween and supporting the headed portions thereof for retaining the nails in aligned position, each of said tubular members terminating at one end in am inclined edge portion disposed above the edge of the adjacent end wall for supporting the headed portion of the nail in inclined position for engagement by a magnetized hammer.

3. A nail feeder comprising a frame having vertical side and end walls, a plurality of spaced parallel tubular members extending between and supported by said end walls, an enclosure positioned over said tubular members, a handle on said enclosure, said enclosure having an enlarged opening to permit insertion of headed nails, said tubular members spaced to permit the shanks of the nails to pass therebetween and supporting the headed portions thereof for retaining the nails in aligned position, each of said tubular members terminating at one end in an inclined edge portion disposed above the edge of the adjacent end wall for supporting the headed portion of the nail in inclined position for engagement by a magnetized hammer, said opening being disposed remotely from said inclined edge portions whereby the nails may be fed towards ,the inclined edge portions by inclining the tubular members.

4. A nail feeder comprising a frame having vertical side and end walls, a plurality of spaced parallel tubular members extending between and supported by said end walls, an enclosure positioned over said tubular members, a handle on said enclosure, said enclosure having an enlarged opening to permit insertion of headed nails, said tubular members spaced to permit the shanks of the nails to pass therebetwcen and supporting the headed portions thereof for retaining the nails in aligned position, each of said tubular members terminating at one end in an inclined edge portion disposed above the edge of the adjacent end wall for supporting the headed portion of the nail in inclined position for engagement by a magnetized hammer, said enclosure including a fiat plate across the top of the tubular members adjacent the inclined edge portions, thereby assuring the vertical positioning of the nails.

5. A nail feeder comprising a frame having vertical side and end walls, a plurality of spaced parallel tubular members extending between and supported by said end walls, an enclosure positioned over said tubular members, a handle on said enclosure, said enclosure having an enlarged opening to permit insertion of headed nails, said tubular members spaced to permit the shanks of the nails to pass therebetween and supporting the headed portions thereof for retaining the nails in aligned position, each of said tubular members terminating at one end in an inclined edge portion disposed above the edge of the adjacent end wall for supporting the headed portion of the nail in inclined position for engagement by a magnetized-hammer, said walls depending below the tubular members for permitting the shanks of the nails to depend below the tubular members.

6. A nail feeder comprising a frame having vertical side and end walls, a plurality of spaced parallel tubular members extending between and supported by said end walls, an enclosure positioned over said tubular members, a handle on said enclosure, said enclosure having an enlarged opening to permit insertion of headed nails, said tubular members spaced to permit the shanks of the nails to pass therebetween and supporting the headed portions thereof for retaining the nails in aligned position, each of said tubular members terminating at one end in an inclined edge portion disposed above the edge of the adjacent end wall for supporting the headed portion of the nail in inclined position for engagement by a magnetized hammer, said opening being disposed remotely from said inclined edge portions whereby the nails may be fed towards the inclined edge portions by inclining the tubular members, said enclosure including a fiat plate across the top of the tubular members adjacent the inclined edge portions, thereby assuring the vertical positioning of the nails.

7. A nail feeder comprising a frame having vertical side and end walls, a plurality of spaced parallel tubular members extending between and supported by said end walls, an enclosure positioned over said tubular members, a handle on said enclosure, said enclosure having an enlarged opening to permit insertion of headed nails, said tubular members spaced to permit the shanks of the nails to pass therebetween and supporting the headed portions thereof for retaining the nails in aligned position, each of said tubular members terminating at one end in an inclined edge portion disposed above the edge of the adjacent end wall for supporting the headed portion of the nail in inclined position for engagement by a magnetized hammer, said opening being disposed remotely from said inclined edge portions whereby the nails may be fed towards the inclined edge portions by inclining the tubular members, said enclosure including a flat plate across the top of the tubular members adjacent the inclined edge portions, thereby assuring the vertical positioning of the nails, said walls depending below the tubular members for permitting the shanks of the nails to depend below the tubular members.

8. A nail feeder comprising a plurality of spaced members having arcuate upper surfaces, a pair of transverse members interconnecting the ends of said spaced members, said spaced members receiving the shanks of nails therebetween and supporting the headed portions thereof on said arcuate surfaces, and means at one end of said spaced members for supporting the headed portion of the nail in accessible position, said means including upwardly offset end portions on said spaced members for feeding the nails upwardly at one end of said spaced members when the spaced members are disposed in vertically inclined position with the offset end portions disposed at the lower end of the spaced members whereby the force of gravity will overcome the frictional drag of the headed portions of the nails on said arcuate surfaces.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 987,557 Dahlke Mar. 21, 1911 

